Introduction to Tantra Sastra - Aghori
Introduction to Tantra Sastra - Aghori
Introduction to Tantra Sastra - Aghori
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WORSHIP 97<br />
PŪJĀ<br />
This word is the common term for worship of which<br />
there are numerous synonyms in the Sanskrit language. 1<br />
Pūjā is done daily of the Iṣṭ a-devatā or the particular<br />
Deity worshipped by the sādhaka—the Devī in the case<br />
of a Śākta, Viṣṇ u in the case of a Vaiṣṇ ava, and so forth.<br />
But though the Iṣṭ a-devatā is the principal object of<br />
worship, yet in pūjā all worship the Pañca-devatā, or the<br />
Five Devās—Aditya (the Sun), Gaṇ eśa, the Devī, Śiva,<br />
and Viṣṇ u or Nārāyana. After worship of the Pañcadevata<br />
the family Deity (Kula-devatā), who is generally<br />
the same as the Iṣṭ a-devata, is worshipped. Pūjā, which<br />
is kāmya, or done <strong>to</strong> gain a particular end as also vrata,<br />
are preceded by the saṃkalpa; that is, a statement of<br />
the resolution <strong>to</strong> do the worship; as also of the particular<br />
object, if any, with which it is done. 2<br />
There are sixteen upacāras, or things done or used<br />
in pūjā; (1) āsana (seat of the image); (2) svāgata (welcome);<br />
(3) padya (water for washing the feet); (4) arghya<br />
(offering of unboiled rice, flowers, sandal paste, durva<br />
grass, 3 etc., <strong>to</strong> the Devatā) in the kushī, (vessel); (5 and<br />
6) ācamana (water for sipping, which is offered twice);<br />
(7) madhuparlia (honey, ghee, milk, and curd offered in<br />
a silver or brass vessel); (8) snāna (water for bathing);<br />
(9) vasana (cloth); (10) ābharaṇ a (jewels); (11) gandha<br />
(scent and sandal paste is given); (12) puṣpa (flowers);<br />
(13) dhūpa (incense stick); (14) dīpa (light); (15) naivedya<br />
1 Such as arcanā, vandanā, saparyyā, arhanā, namasyā, arcā, bhajanā, etc.<br />
2 It runs in the form: “I—of gotra—etc., am about <strong>to</strong> perrorm this pūjā (or<br />
vrata) with the object,” etc.<br />
3 Kuśa grass is used only in pitṛ -kriyā or śrāddha, and in homa. Arghya<br />
is of two kinds—sāmānya (general), and viśeṣa (special).